Life is short and the world is wide

My Life in Motion

Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I’ve had the “travel bug” for years. Cliche as it is, there’s no other explanation for the vicious cycle of saving everything and spending it all on plane tickets. I don’t have a car, I only recently settled into an apartment, and until recently, I have moved at least 3 times a year for the past 4 years.

At this very moment, I’m staring down a suitcase which is certainly well over the 50 pound limit and the OK Go song “Here it goes again” is on merciless replay in my head (You know- the one with the fun treadmill music video that went viral when we were pre-teens). In less than 24 hours I’ll be getting on a plane to Belize. I’ve done this trip twice before— but this time I’ll be staying. For 6 months. I’ll be adopted into a host family with 4 kids, 5 dogs, and a diverse community that specializes in tortillas, lemon meringue pie, and limeade.

There’s an inherent uncertainty about the next 6 months, but I am certain that I am about as ready for it as I possibly could be. 2016 was a whirlwind. I volunteered in Belize, “backpacked” through Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and explored Montreal, Canada. I started an Etsy business and learned neuro surgery on mice. I met an elephant and we bonded over a mutual love of snacks. I tried takoyaki (Japanese fried octopus), pulled pork barbecue, and rice noodles- all for the first time. I actually accomplished some of those infamous “New Year’s Resolutions”. If 2016 was a whirlwind… then 2017 is sure to be a tornado of adventure (or something).